ST. JOHN'S, N.L. - Nine-year-old Liam Corrigan has reached a celebrity status at St. Bernard’s Elementary in Witless Bay, after a video of him singing Newfoundland tunes at the Pearson International Airport went viral.
His mom, Leslie-Ann Corrigan, says that it’s been a very exciting week for the family.
“We’re sort of on ego control at the moment,” she said with a laugh Nov. 23. “He’s obviously not a shy boy, so he’s not exactly keeping the experience
to himself.”
After spending the week on a cruise for a family vacation, they were on a stopover in the Toronto airport when Corrigan ran into Sean Sullivan, Sheldon Thornhill and their families who she has known for years.
“They had their instruments with them, of course,” said Corrigan. “I don’t think they go anywhere without them.”
Everyone was waiting around for their flight home to Newfoundland, said Corrigan, when Thornhill took out his accordion and started playing.
“I could hear people starting to sing along,” she said. “That’s when Liam grabbed my phone to run over and take a video of them.”
Layover at Toronto airport turns into N.L. party
Robin Short: Newfoundlanders perpetuate their own stereotypes
Liam had sung with the men about three or four years before at a family function.
“Sheldon knew that Liam was a good singer, so he said ‘go ahead Liam’, and that was all the encouragement he needed,” said Corrigan.
In the video Liam can be seen belting out the lyrics to “Grey Foggy Day” and “Capelin Time,” as others in the crowd cheer him on.
“He has a fantastic memory,” said Corrigan. “Once he likes a song he learns it very quickly.”
After a couple of songs, an announcement came over the speakers in the airport, which Corrigan assumed would be to start boarding the plane.
Instead, the voice over the speakers apologized for interrupting the “party,” said Corrigan, and informed the crowd that their flight would be delayed by 30 minutes.
“I’m willing to bet that was the first time that lady had ever heard a crowd cheer after telling them their flight was delayed,” said Corrigan.
Corrigan says all three men have received an overwhelming amount of feedback about their performances, and The Gathering Festival in Burlington has even contacted Liam for a gig.
